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Regulatory effects and mechanisms of branched chain amino acids and metabolic intermediates on insulin resistance

BAI Dan-Dan, XIAO Wei-Hua^*

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China

Abstract

Branched chain amino acids, as essential amino acids, can be used to synthesize nitrogen-containing compounds and also act as signal molecules to regulate substance metabolism. Studies have shown that the elevated level of branched chain amino acids is closely related to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. It can affect insulin signal transduction by activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway, and regulate insulin resistance by damaging lipid metabolism and affecting mitochondrial function. In addition, abnormal catabolism of branched amino acids can lead to the accumulation of metabolic intermediates, such as branched chain α-keto acids, 3-hydroxyisobutyrate and β-aminoisobutyric acid. Branched chain α-keto acids and 3-hydroxyisobutyrate can induce insulin resistance by affecting insulin signaling pathway and damaging lipid metabolism. β-aminoisobutyric acid can improve insulin resistance by reducing lipid accumulation and inflammatory reaction and enhancing fatty acid oxidation. This paper systematically reviewed the regulatory effects and mechanisms of branched chain amino acids and their metabolic intermediates on insulin resistance, which will provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Key words: branched chain amino acids; metabolic intermediates; insulin resistance

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 肖卫华　　E-mail: xiaoweihua@sus.edu.cn

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2023.0023

Citing This Article：

BAI Dan-Dan, XIAO Wei-Hua. Regulatory effects and mechanisms of branched chain amino acids and metabolic intermediates on insulin resistance. Acta Physiol Sin 2023; 75 (2): 291-302 (in Chinese with English abstract).